Since 1929, the streets of Monaco, a tiny principality on the French Riviera, have come alive with the sounds and excitement of Formula One racing. For a country that is roughly half the size of New York’s Central Park, it is home to the rich and famous of Europe. And they like their toys.
The tight turns and narrow streets make Monaco a fun place to race. (bugatti.com)
As early as the mid-1890s, several long-distance, endurance-style auto races were organized in European cities and referred to as “Grand Prix” races. By the late 1920s, the wealthy owner of a cigarette empire decided that Monaco needed a piece of the racing action. The race he started has turned into one of the foremost Formula One races, one of the races that form the Triple Crown of Motorsports, and an event that has become known as much for its prestige and glamour as for its fast cars. In these colorized photographs of the very first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929, we can see how this glitzy race got its start.
The Birth of Motorsports
Scene during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix, 1929. Competitors with their cars during practice for the inaugural Grand Prix at the famous street circuit. The number 30 car is the Bugatti of Mario Lepori, who went on to finish 7th in the race, which wa
Motorsports racing in Europe really began in France in 1894 when auto owners, thrilled with the speed of their new vehicles, wanted to race them against others. Improvements in the speed of automobiles happened very quickly in the early 1900s. Cars could now reach as fast as 100 miles per hour, which made auto races much more exciting … and dangerous. Grand Prix racing started as road races with drivers began in one town and raced to another, using the same roads everyone else uses, rather than a special track. With no helmets, seatbelts, or other safety features, wrecks were common. And there were no berms, guard rails, or fences to keep spectators safe either.
Why Monaco?
What a view! (news.bugatti.com)
Monaco, ideally situated on the picturesque Mediterranean coast, has long been the playground of the wealthy elite. This really started back in 1869 when Monaco decided to get rid of its income tax. In fact, the tax rate for businesses and individuals is incredibly low. Rich people like to live there so they can hang on to more of their riches. And then, of course, there is the beautiful scenery and the lavish lifestyle. Although it is the second smallest nation on earth, it has a large harbor that can hold hundreds of yachts. In the 1920s, as well as now, Monaco was the playground of the uber-rich … people who thrive on glitz and glamour and life in the fast lane.
The Brainchild of a Cigarette Maker
A scene from the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix. (reddit)
Antony Noghes was a prominent businessman in Monaco. He had secured the position of director of the government agency in Monaco that was responsible for the “procurement, manufacturing, and selling” of cigarettes and tobacco products within the country. Since everyone smoked cigarettes in the 1920s with no worries about the health risks, the tobacco industry was quite lucrative. Noghes enjoyed the finer things in Monaco, including fancy cars. He and his buddies established the Automobile Club de Monaco. In 1911, he helped to organize a smaller road race in the principality called the Rallye Monte-Carlo. This race was quite popular, leading Noghes to propose that Monaco host a larger, international race in the style of the Grand Prix races of France. His idea gained the support of Prince Louis II as well as Louis Chiron, one of the top Grand Prix racers of the day who happened to be from Monaco.
The Very First Monaco Grand Prix
Bugatti was the big winner at the first Monaco Grand Prix ... but Alfa Romeo wasn't there. (bugatti.com)
Sixteen racers were invited to participate in the very first Monaco Grand Prix, which was held on April 14, 1929. They would be racing for the prize of 100,000 French francs. Not all the invited racers decided to attend. For this first Monaco Grand Prix, the leading drivers for Alfa Romeo and Maserati did not participate, but there were several Bugatti drivers. In addition, the leading Mercedes driver, Rudolf Caracciola, was there, as well as Baron Philippe de Rothschild, an avid driver. Louis Chiron was disappointed that he could not compete. He was racing in the Indianapolis 500 at the same time.
The First Winner
William Gordon-Williams was the winner. (autoweek)
Although Rudolf Caracciola was the favorite, the winner of the first Monaco Grand Prix was William Grover-Williams. He drove a Bugatti Type 35B. All the drivers agreed that the narrow streets of Monaco, complete with hills, a tunnel, and hairpin turns, made for exciting racing, even though the drivers couldn’t go top speeds. The limitations of the principality also meant that the course was shorter than average Grand Prix races. Today, it is the only Grand Prix that is shorter than the mandated length of a Formula One course.
The Evolution of the Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is now the icing on the cake for the principality. (simanatissays.com)
Just as tobacco magnate Antony Noghes envisioned, the Monaco Grand Prix quickly became the glitziest race in Europe. Although the race was established before the World Championship, the Monaco Grand Prix, along with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans form the Triple Crown of Motorsports. Adding a prestigious racing event to the streets of Monaco just added another layer to the posh extravagance of the tiny principality. Now, along with million-dollar yachts, high-stakes casinos, and an enviable nightlife scene, Monaco is known for fast, expensive cars.
